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FMQ'ing with the bigger Horizons or Elnas ...about those low tension bobbin cases......
RipStitcher Intermediate Member since 5/28/12 Posts: 1404	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/10/12 12:36 PM OK.... So I was workin' on my first quilt when I got the Horizon. At the same time, I was scouring the internet & YouTube for any stuff I could find on the Horizon. In the midst of that (naturally) I ran into the Leah Day stuff. On one video, she goes off about the low tension bobbin case not being necessary and basically called it a ripoff. I didn't buy one until a few weeks ago... and didn't get around to really trying it until this past week - on that same quilt. I'm still tinkering around with different top tension settings - but I definitely think I'm getting better results with it than what I accomplished by trying to beat the regular bobbin case into submission. Just wanting to hear other people's experiences with this.... ------ nightowlsally.com On my radar someday: Babylock Serger, and some machine for travel. My dearest wish is to have Bernina come out with a machine that doesn't give me a reason to *not* buy it. 2012: New Elna Lotus (mostly for granddaughter), Red Elna Press, Horizon 7700, Gidget 2 Table, Babylock Ellisimo Gold 1970's: Elna SU62 & ElnaPress
Artsewer   Intermediate NY USA Member since 3/2/11 Posts: 1247	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/10/12 1:37 PM Hi Rip Stitcher, I thought it was improved with the blue dot case, no tinkering with tension. I really like it. I thought the tension was perfect. ------ Bernina 750Q, 635E, 380, Serger 1100DC
Skittl1321 Advanced Beginner IA USA Member since 9/9/07 Posts: 1043	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: FMQing with the bigger Horizons or Elnas Date: 11/10/12 2:02 PM I think Leah Day is brilliant. However, just because it works for her doesn't mean it is the only way. For example, I prefer feed dogs down. I also don't think the Supreme Slider does anything, and most of the time I forget to bother with the machingers gloves- all "must haves" according to her. If the regular bobbin case wasn't working for you, getting the special one makes sense. -- Edited on 11/10/12 2:04 PM --
Mufffet   Intermediate VT USA Member since 8/14/05 Posts: 8925	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/10/12 2:27 PM Have the blue dot bobbin case for my Janome - works great and I don't have to ratchet up the top tension as I had to do before. I too love Leah, but I too mostly like feed dogs down. I don't think the shiny sliders do much either, and I do love those Machinger gloves though....;) So different strokes and so on. Happy FMing.... ------ "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama I have sewing machines
sewfrequent Intermediate TX USA Member since 6/27/03 Posts: 2909	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 11/10/12 4:05 PM Blue dot bobbin case works best for me too. I can just leave my tension on 4 and all is well..no eye-lashes on back. I too think the slider is way over-rated and stopped using mine. Never tried the gloves!! Dogs down all the way for me too.
TessKwiltz   Intermediate TX USA Member since 9/21/07 Posts: 1319	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/10/12 4:07 PM I've a second bobbin case for all the machines I do free motion on - I can leave one set for regular thread (~40 or 50 wt) and have the second one to tinker with for very thin or very thick bobbin thread. I am behind the times about bobbin cases being marketed specifically for FMQ, but it sounds like a second bobbin case with the tension already set for thinner thread? I can't see what it would hurt. Leah Day and I are both very opinionated people. She is welcome to her opinions, but I will continue to ignore them. ------ Tess On threadpainting flowers: "How many colors are in a flower? ... How many do you have?" - Ellen Anne Eddy
RipStitcher Intermediate Member since 5/28/12 Posts: 1404	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/10/12 6:58 PM Good to hear. The one thing that I think she is blatantly wrong about (because it is not an *opinion*, it's a mechanical fact) ... is that by dropping the feed dogs you're changing the tension on the machine. Droppin' the dogs has nothing to do with tension... but just in case I was all wet thinkin' that, I called my dealer dude and he confirmed that dropping the dogs has no impact on tension. This afternoon I did some piecing on the EG just for kicks and grins... what a quiet, smooth machine. Still love my Horizon, too, though. ------ nightowlsally.com On my radar someday: Babylock Serger, and some machine for travel. My dearest wish is to have Bernina come out with a machine that doesn't give me a reason to *not* buy it. 2012: New Elna Lotus (mostly for granddaughter), Red Elna Press, Horizon 7700, Gidget 2 Table, Babylock Ellisimo Gold 1970's: Elna SU62 & ElnaPress
SouthernStitch   Advanced LA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 8205	Login to reply to this post In reply to RipStitcher << Like this post Date: 11/10/12 8:00 PM Quote: what a quiet, smooth machine Nice to hear that! Nothing better than a quiet, smooth machine! I also thought craziness when I heard her say that about the feed dogs. But I have heard that using those bobbin washer thingies is a good thing on some drop in bobbin machines. Not ALL of them need it though, I'm sure. ------ Bernina 730E, 530, and 350PE Singer 221 FW, 403a When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
PortlandMaine   Advanced Beginner ME USA Member since 1/29/11 Posts: 1655	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 11/10/12 8:41 PM I also disagree with her about tension and dropping the feed dogs -- I also have heard Sharron Shambore say that. I dont change my bobbin tension, wear gloves, use a slider, use a spacial washer in the bobbin, or quilt with as small of stitches as Leah Day uses - I like bigger ones - But - she did teach me the "stuff" method for quilting -- b-4 her I was rolling -- and sure a rolled quilt looks good in a machine ad -- but, it does not work well in real life. I like Leah Day - Her voice drive me crazy, though - I dont know why it just gets on my nerves. But, I am often driven crazy by peoples voices. Its a odd problem I have. But, the point is -- as with all teachers -- take what you like and leave the rest! ------ Drag queen quilter!
RipStitcher Intermediate Member since 5/28/12 Posts: 1404	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/10/12 10:36 PM Ok. I finished the FMQ'ing on this first quilt of mine tonight- FINALLY! With the new blue dot bobbin case, I had the upper tension set on about 2 in order to manage Mettler 60 wt. in the bobbin & a very fine Monofiliament on top. I tried leaving the tension on auto - what a mess that made on the backside! Mega-eyelashing! I did have some probs with the underside catching on that APC (single hole tongue thing on the Horizon) until I engaged it... Then, no probs. Just gotta do the binding now. :) All in all, 90-95% of this quilt is something to be proud of... But the other 5-10% show my learning curve with this machine and tension related crapola. ------ nightowlsally.com On my radar someday: Babylock Serger, and some machine for travel. My dearest wish is to have Bernina come out with a machine that doesn't give me a reason to *not* buy it. 2012: New Elna Lotus (mostly for granddaughter), Red Elna Press, Horizon 7700, Gidget 2 Table, Babylock Ellisimo Gold 1970's: Elna SU62 & ElnaPress

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